PSV icon Luc Nilis expects a difficult Champions League encounter when Peter Bosz’s side welcomes Club Brugge to the Philips Stadium on 4 November.

PSV opened their European campaign with a 1-1 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk and will face two away fixtures before returning home to meet the Belgian side on matchday four.

Bosz’s team travels to RB Leipzig on 13 October before facing FC Porto away on 20 October. The Club Brugge fixture will then represent PSV’s second home match of the Champions League campaign.

For Nilis, the contest is difficult to call.

Speaking on the De Rood Wit Podcast, the former PSV forward assessed the challenge posed by Club Brugge and believes home advantage could prove important.

“For me, the odds are 50/50. Good for PSV that they have them at home, because Club Brugge in the Jan Breydel Stadium... When you see which teams they have already knocked out there, then it would have been difficult there,” Nilis said, as quoted by PSV Inside.

The Belgian knows both clubs well and has a particular connection to PSV, having spent six years in Eindhoven between 1994 and 2000 and becoming a firm favourite with the supporters.

That history means Nilis already knows which side he will be supporting when the teams meet.

Despite being Belgian and having a history with Anderlecht, Nilis made his position clear ahead of the Champions League meeting.

“Of course I will support PSV, although I also have a lot of respect for Club Brugge, because I think they, together with Union, are really outstanding in Belgium,” he said.

His decision to back PSV has already attracted attention in Belgium, with Club Brugge supporters questioning why Nilis would not support one of the country's leading clubs.

The reaction has spilled onto social media, suggesting the debate over Nilis’ allegiance may continue before the two teams meet in Eindhoven.

For Nilis, however, his connection with PSV remains clear.

While backing his former club, Nilis also warned that PSV cannot afford to underestimate Club Brugge or Belgian opposition in general.

“I think PSV does not like playing against Belgian clubs,” he said.

“The top teams in Belgium are just very well-organized and, in terms of quality, also extremely strong going forward. So those are just very tough matches for PSV.”

Nilis believes Belgian sides can cause particular problems because of their organisation and attacking quality, making the Champions League meeting another significant test for Bosz’s team.

However, he also made a distinction between Club Brugge and another Belgian opponent PSV have faced.

“On the other hand, I think Union at home was a tougher match than Club Brugge will be,” Nilis concluded.

Before Club Brugge arrive at the Philips Stadium, PSV still have two demanding away fixtures to negotiate.

The trips to RB Leipzig and FC Porto will come on 13 and 20 October, respectively, leaving Bosz’s side with a challenging run before matchday four.

Nilis’ assessment leaves little doubt about the scale of the task. He gives PSV and Club Brugge an equal chance but believes the Eindhoven club will gain a significant advantage from playing at home.

For Nilis, there is also no question about where his loyalty will lie when the two sides meet.

Despite his Belgian roots and respect for Club Brugge, the former PSV captain will be firmly behind the home side.